Why Han Solo Is The Perfect Character, According To The Star Wars Standalone Director

The Star Wars universe is is moving full steam ahead and not just with the upcoming Episode 7. Plans are also moving forward with all of the "Anthology" projects including a starring role for everybody’s favorite smuggler, Han Solo. Director Chris Miller can’t say enough good things about Solo. In short: Best. Character. Ever.

Speaking with IGN, Miller, who will be co-directing the Han Solo film with his LEGO Movie partner Phil Lord, could not be more excited about being given this task.

I could talk to you for a day about why he is the perfect blend of rogue-ish cowboy... Morally ambiguous, but has a clear moral compass. He’s funny, he’s off the cuff… When I was a kid on the playground, fights were about who got to play Han Solo. He’s just one of the best characters ever created.

Miller’s excitement is palpable in the full interview. You can tell he’s over the moon to have the job of directing this movie, while at the same time more than a little terrified. He knows being handed the Solo character is a huge responsibility and he doesn’t want to screw it up. That’s probably, the perfect mix of emotions. As a fan himself he knows how important it is and he wants to make the movie great.

Solo really is a special character in the Star Wars universe. While the prequel films had their Jedis, princesses, aliens, and droids, just as the original trilogy did, they were utterly lacking in any sort of Han Solo-like character. I’m not saying that was the reason the prequels were not as good. But I am saying that was one of the reasons the prequels didn’t work.

Little is known about the film itself other than the fact that it will focus on a young Han Solo, and how he became that perfect blend of rouge and cowboy that Miller references. No word on who will play the young Han Solo, though we have a few ideas if anybody is interested. The screenplay is being worked on by Lawrence Kasdan of The Empire Strikes Back so there is certainly a strong pedigree backing up the movie. To work, the movie needs to start with a good script and Kasdan gives us confidence.

Miller seems to have a strong handle on one of our favorite characters and we’re excited, if slightly scared, to see what he and Lord put together. Are you excited to see a young Han Solo on screen? Who would you like to see take on the role? We just hope that whoever the young Han Solo is, he’s the type of guy that shoots first. The Han Solo film is scheduled for a May 2018 release.